What is Sun Stroke

[Extracted from Dhyansanjivani.org]

Sunstroke is a life-threatening condition in which the body's heat-regulating system fails, due to exposure to high temperatures.

Sunstroke can occur when the body's mechanisms to rid itself of excess heat are overwhelmed by a very hot or humid environment, or strenuous physical activity.

People particularly susceptible to sunstroke are young children, the elderly, individuals not used to physical activity and concomitant excessive sun exposure (such as overseas visitors walking in the mountains in Africa), people suffering from certain chronic medical conditions, and those involved in certain sporting activities.

Symptoms of sunstroke include elevated body temperature; hot, dry skin; hyperventilation; mental confusion; and eventual unconsciousness.

The primary treatment goal for sunstroke is to lower the elevated body temperature rapidly in a controlled fashion.
Sunstroke can be prevented by drinking plenty of water and avoiding overtaxing the body in hot weather and while exercising.

Alternative names

Heatstroke

What is sunstroke ?

(heatstroke) is an acute, life-threatening condition in which the body's heat-regulating system fails, due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, excessive production of heat or commonly a combination of the two. The body is unable to lose heat adequately in order to return to its normal temperature. Body temperature rises to very high levels, which can damage major organs.

Sunstroke can be preceded by heat exhaustion, when excess loss of fluids and salt in sweat results in marked weakness. Heat exhaustion becomes sunstroke when your body can no longer maintain a normal body temperature.

Heat exhaustion may be accompanied by heat cramps :
sudden painful muscle spasms in the arms or legs, and sometimes the abdomen.

What causes sunstroke ?

In a hot environment, your body rids itself of excess heat through increasing blood flow to the skin, sweating and breathing out warmed air. These mechanisms can sometimes be overwhelmed, however, leading to heat-related symptoms, which, if left untreated, can lead to sunstroke.

When blood temperature rises above its normal range, a control centre in the brain (the hypothalamus) signals the circulatory system to increase blood flow and enlarge the blood vessels, particularly those in the skin. As more blood flows through the enlarged vessels, excess heat from the blood passes into the cooler air. If this is not sufficient to cool the blood, the sweat glands begin to produce sweat, which cools the skin as it evaporates. If the air temperature is very high, however, the blood may not cool down enough as it circulates through the skin. Also, when you lose too much fluid, the blood volume decreases, and body temperature increases. If the body continues to generate heat faster than you can lose it, the core temperature (central body temperature) may rise to dangerous levels, causing heat exhaustion or sunstroke.

Sunstroke usually occurs after exposure to high temperatures, for example from working in an extremely hot environment, especially one to which you are unused; exercising too strenuously, particularly in summer; or when you have a high fever associated with illness. Humid weather also renders the cooling mechanism of sweating less effective. Overdressing, overeating and drinking too much alcohol can be contributing factors.

The primary cause of symptoms is loss of sodium and chloride (which make up salt), rather than the amount of water.

Who gets sunstroke and who is at risk ?

Anyone exposed to high temperatures is at risk of sunstroke, but the following groups are at particularly high risk and must take special precautions to avoid hot, poorly ventilated places and exertion in hot weather :

- Young children

- Elderly people


People with certain chronic conditions such as :

- Arteriosclerosis and congestive heart failure

- Diabetes mellitus

- Alcoholism

Skin disorders that may impede heat loss such as ectodermal dysplasia, congenital absence of the sweat glands, or severe scleroderma.

People taking certain medications that may interfere with temperature regulation. Some such medications include :

- gastrointestinal drugs containing atropine (e.g. Donnatal); antidepressants or antipsychotics (e.g. Thorazine, Haldol, Prozac); antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl); certain cardiovascular medications including betablockers (e.g. Blocadren) and diuretics (e.g. Diuril); and Parkinson's disease medications.

People taking part in certain types of sporting activities, such as long-distance running or cycling.

People known to be susceptible to the effects of extreme heat.

Symptoms and signs of sunstroke

Symptoms of sunstroke may include :

- Hot, dry skin

- No sweating (usually)

- Skin is first flushed, then pale or purple

- Hyperventilation (rapid, shallow breathing)

- Rapid, bounding pulse (alternates between a higher intensity than normal, then disappears quickly)

- Body temperature rises rapidly to 40°C or higher

- Headache

- Muscle cramps

- Dilated pupils

- Signs of mental disorder may include incoherent speech, disorientation, confusion, aggressive speech or behaviour, agitation and hallucinations.

- Lethargy or stupor (reactions become extremely slow and sluggish)

- Convulsions

- Loss of consciousness

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include :

- Weakness and fatigue

- Tense or aching muscles

- Nausea and vomiting

- Pale, clammy skin

- Weak, rapid pulse

- Confusion

- Normal body temperature (usually)

- Heat cramps

- Heavy sweating

- Dizziness or lightheadedness

- Fainting

- Dark yellow or orange urine

- Headache

- Diarrhoea

How is sunstroke diagnosed ?

The doctor will review your symptoms and take blood pressure and temperature readings. Rectal temperature is used rather than temperature in the mouth. He or she may also take a sample of your blood and urine for testing.

How is sunstroke treated ?

Treatment of heat-related illness depends on its severity.

Emergency treatment of sunstroke

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has sunstroke, call an ambulance or take the person to hospital immediately. The primary treatment goal is to lower the elevated body temperature as quickly as possible. So, while you're waiting for medical help, give first aid as follows :

a) Remove the person's clothing and immerse the body in a cold water bath. If this is not possible, cover the body with a wet sheet or towels, sponge down the body with cool water or rub the limbs with ice-cubes. If your water supply is limited, cooling the head and neck becomes the priority. Place ice packs (if available) at the neck, armpits and groin. Fan the person with a newspaper, towel or electric fan to increase air flow and evaporation.

b) After the bath, move the person to a cool place.

c) Elevate the feet to direct blood back toward the head.

d) Massage the extremities (arms and legs) to encourage the return of cool blood to the brain and the core of the body.

e) If the person is conscious, encourage him or her to sip water or a soft drink. If the mental state is impaired, it may be impossible to get the person to drink. Continue with external cooling in the hope that the person will recover sufficiently to begin drinking.

f) While cooling the body down, take the person's temperature rectally every 10 minutes and do not allow it to fall below 38.5°C. Only immerse the person in a cold bath until their temperature falls to 39.4°C. If you don't have a thermometer, continue with first aid until the body feels cool to the touch. Resume cooling if the body starts to heat up again.

Hospital care for sunstroke

More careful control measures are used in hospital, with better temperature measurement and regulation. Core temperature is monitored continuously to avoid hypothermia. Blood tests are used to determine salt and electrolyte levels and fluid therapy is started to correct imbalances.

Careful observation for signs of fluid and salt imbalances, and complications such as kidney failure, will be required for several weeks after the initial episode. Temperature changes may be expected for several weeks following the episode.
Treatment of heat exhaustion and heat cramps

Heat exhaustion and cramps can usually be resolved with home treatment. Have the person lie down in a cool place, loosen or remove clothing and sponge the body with cold water, or apply wet towels or ice packs.

You can also fan them to increase cooling through evaporation. Offer a cool salty drink, for example a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a litre of water, sipped slowly over an hour. You can add a tablespoon of sugar or a sweet drink powder as an energy boost. If the person is elderly or cannot keep the salty liquid down, he or she should be taken to hospital.

Heat cramps can be relieved by stretching and massage. Firm pressure on the cramped muscles and warm towels may help. Drinking a salty solution, as recommended for heat exhaustion, should keep cramps from recurring.

Anyone who has had heat exhaustion or cramps should rest for 24 hours afterwards.

What is the outcome of sunstroke ?

Heat exhaustion is not life-threatening unless it is ignored, but sunstroke can be fatal if not properly treated. Once the cooling mechanism fails, the core temperature rises rapidly and death can occur in as little as 30 minutes. Some people die up to several weeks after the initial acute episode, as a result of complications such as kidney failure or heart failure. Sunstroke kills over 10% of its victims. Sunstroke may also cause permanent damage to organs such as the liver.

Can sunstroke be prevented ?

The following guidelines can help prevent heat-related illness, including sunstroke :

1) Drink plenty of water whenever you spend a lot of time in the sun or a hot environment, and before, during and after exercise. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink, and drink more than you need to satisfy your thirst - particularly if you've been sweating.

2) Rest during the hottest part of the day.

3) Take time to get used to a new climate, or the start of the hot season, before being very active or staying in the sun. Your temperature regulation system will become more efficient as it becomes accustomed to the heat.

4) If you are an endurance runner or cyclist you should train in hot conditions if you know that you will race in these conditions. This allows your body to start to get used to the heat. Take care to drink adequate fluids while training and don’t overdo it when you first start acclimatising.

5) Limit exposure to the sun.

6) Wear a hat or cap, preferably one with a wide brim, especially if working in the sun - the head is particularly sensitive to heat.

7) Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in hot weather. Cotton is best, as it allows air to pass through and sweat to evaporate.

8) Open windows, or use a fan to improve indoor air circulation.

9) Eat light, small meals, and limit alcohol intake in hot weather. Avoid alcohol before, during, and immediately after exercise. Alcohol causes you to lose more fluid than you consume.

10) Limit vigorous activity during hot or humid weather, especially during the middle of the day.

11) If you have to exercise in the heat, maintain a pace that allows your body to adapt to the hot weather: start with short workouts and increase them gradually over at least two weeks. Try to schedule vigorous exercise during cooler morning or evening hours. Rest in the shade for five to ten minutes every half hour, and reduce your pace if you start to feel symptoms of exhaustion.

Ask your doctor whether any medications you are taking may interfere with your body's temperature regulation. (See: Who gets sunstroke and who is at risk.) If you use any of these medications, be especially careful to limit exertion and drink enough water in hot weather.

Be able to recognise the danger signs of heat-related illness. Remember that symptoms can develop over several days or suddenly during strenuous activity.

Heat oedema and prickly heat are two conditions that signal that your body is under heat stress. Heat oedema is swelling of the hands and feet when blood vessels expand and cause fluid to pool under the skin. You may first notice this when your shoes or rings feel too tight. Prickly heat is an irritating rash caused by sweat pore blockage, usually under clothes. This may happen if you dress too warmly or wear clothing that doesn't "breathe". These conditions are not harmful, but indicate that you need to cool down to avoid a more serious heat-related illness.
When to call the doctor

Sunstroke is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help if you or someone else develops any of the following heat-related symptoms :

- Confusion

- Extreme fatigue

- Agitation

- Intense muscle aches, feverishness or nausea

- Convulsions or loss of consciousness

Stroke Yoga for Rehabilitation

by Ram

Sunflowers by Melina Meza

Your brain cannot function if it is deprived of oxygen even for a very short time. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either ruptures (hemorrhage) or is blocked by a clot (ischemia). In either situation, portions of the brain do not receive much needed blood and oxygen, as a result of which the brain cells die (see Balance, Strokes, and Brain Health). If brain cells die or are damaged because of a stroke, symptoms occur in the parts of the body that this region of the brain controls. 

Symptoms of a stroke include but not limited to: failure to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand conversation, difficulty formulating speech, numbness, postural instability and imbalance, and vision impairment. A stroke can cause severe brain damage, long-term disability, or even death. Prevention is the best remedy for people who are at risk. Interventions include a regular wholesome diet, physical exercise, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol use, among others.

Victims of stroke have to undergo several weeks or months of rehabilitation in order to return to normal daily living. The rehab process helps the victim restore and relearn lost skills arising from the brain damage. If the stroke victim is experiencing any severe disabilities, the rehabilitation process teaches them alternate ways to perform those tasks and to overcome those disabilities. According to most experts, a successful rehabilitation program is one that is carefully directed and well-focused, with emphasis on repetitive practice—all of which enables victims to regain their lost motor function and skill sets. Skills include ability to walk, use of hand movements, communication, speaking, bathing and dressing, among others. Victims also engage in physical exercises, including passive or active range of motion exercises to strengthen their limbs. Patients may progress from sitting up and being moved to standing, balancing, and walking, with or without assistance. Rehabilitation is an ongoing process until the victims are able to successfully carry out basic activities of daily living independently. Depending on the extent of stroke, this may take months or even several years. 

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. While 40% of stroke patients suffer from moderate functional impairment, 15% to 30% of victims are left with severe disability. Effective rehabilitation interventions initiated early on can boost the recovery process and lessen functional disability. Approximately, seven million people in the US suffer from the chronic effects of stroke and only 14% of these victims recover completely after one year of rehabilitation programs. Thus, there is a greater need to improve functional outcomes following stroke. Stroke victims need to engage in physical activities despite being very fearful. Can yoga be used in rehabilitation programs and be helpful to stroke victims in their recovery process? 

Apparently, yes! A recent study Yoga leads to multiple physical improvements after stroke, a pilot study. showed that yoga not only improves physical function, it also helps patients to overcome the fear of physical activity. The goal of the study was to assess the changes in physical function in people with chronic stroke after an eight-week yoga therapy program. The parameters measured included pain, strength, endurance and range of motion, as these are most affected after a stroke. A total of 47 people were enrolled in the study. All participants were older than 18 years of age, had completed all stroke inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and were able to stand without a device and follow directions. There were two groups in the study: the yoga group and the control group. The control group was actually a wait-listed group (n=10 people), who were offered yoga after completion of all assessments. The authors fail to mention if the people in the control group were on any medication or if they were doing some other physical activities.

Patients in the yoga group participated in group yoga therapy sessions with 10 people per group. Each yoga session was one hour long, and participants engaged in two yoga sessions per week for a total of eight weeks. The yoga session, which was taught by a certified yoga therapist, included sitting, standing, and supine hatha yoga poses and ended with meditation and relaxation. At the end of the eight-week period, the researchers noted that the yoga therapy group showed significant improvement in many aspects of physical function. Nearly all of the people in the yoga group described their pain levels as significantly reduced. Endurance had also significantly improved in the yoga group as they were able to walk farther in a six-minute walk test compared to the non-yoga group. Bilateral neck and hamstring range of motion and upper extremity strength significantly improved in the yoga group compared to non-yoga control group.

Thus, the research study clearly demonstrated that in just two sessions/week for an eight-week period (16 yoga classes) there were radical changes in several physical functional parameters in stroke victims, including pain, range of motion, endurance and strength, all of which correlated with improved functional outcomes. The researchers also speculate that in addition to improvements in the physical body, yoga may have also helped patients to develop more awareness that in turn led to a better recovery. Despite some limitations to this study (small sample size, an non-blinded trial, involvement of the main researcher with the yoga therapy group), yoga definitely appeared to have a positive impact on stroke victims by not only improving physical function, but also the quality of life. I guess you will agree with me that we cannot find a better, cheaper, more effective and environmentally friendly therapy for recovery after a stroke.

Subscribe to Yoga for Healthy Aging by Email ° Follow Yoga for Healthy Aging on Facebook ° Join this site with Google Friend Connect

Organizer Floaters in eyes stroke

Floaters in eyes stroke can be considered one of this content underneath the right now Could through the file yahoo and google So that you can offer beneficial details to the subscribers we certainly have sampled to search out your nearby relevance photographs all-around Floaters in eyes stroke And here you are going to see now, these kind of photographs are actually consumed from the leading resource.

That they are for sale for acquire, if you prefer not to mention aspire to carry it just click conserve logo about the web page, in addition to it’ll possibly be promptly downloadable within your laptop. In conclusion if you'd like to increase different and latest graphic related to Floaters in eyes stroke , you need to abide by you with the search engines furthermore or maybe search for this fabulous website, all of us try the greatest to provide you with every day revise along with brand new as well as clean content material. Hopefully you prefer the web site.

Floaters in eyes stroke - it's also been placed together with the expectancy which unfortunately most of us will probably encourage employed to you will. This content will deliver as the personal reference if you find yourself bewildered to find the perfect direct The Floaters in eyes stroke articles might be your very best choice to become put on the job strategy, mainly because it features a prepare will certainly experience additional fulfilled Floaters in eyes stroke - Very helpful for you personally consequently all of us want to discover the best origin which in turn may help you locate ideas with out distress. remember in order to save this site, considering that it could be a day you require it again spine while your current inspirational concepts.

Next topic Floaters in the eye stroke

Floaters in the eye stroke is one of the content under the now Can certainly belonging to the listing google and yahoo For you to offer you helpful tips to the customers we tested to obtain that next importance shots available Floaters in the eye stroke And here you are going to see now, these kinds of photos are already obtained on the foremost learning resource.

Many are available for save, in order for you plus prefer to accept it simply click save badge on the page, as well as it’ll end up being immediately down loaded as part of your notebook computer. In conclusion should you wish to secure latest not to mention recent visual connected with Floaters in the eye stroke , please follow us on google plus or bookmark this website, most people look at all of our most effective to present you each day upgrade through impressive and even innovative subject matter. Can be you enjoy your web page.

Floaters in the eye stroke - this has been recently put up with the expectation the belief that we're able to encourage good for a person. This content will deliver as the personal reference if you end up unclear to find the best tutorial This Floaters in the eye stroke articles might be your very best choice that they are put on to the repair system, while it includes unique system is going to come to feel extra contented Floaters in the eye stroke - Worthwhile for your needs so you hoping acquire a steady base which unfortunately will allow you to obtain idea without the need of misunderstanding. remember in order to save this site, for the reason that might be sooner or later you need them backside simply because ones own inspirational options.

Will Yoga Cause a Stroke Could it Prevent One

by Timothy

Arteries of the Neck (from Gray's Anatomy)

There has been concern—and for some even fear—in the yoga community regarding the risk of strokes from doing yoga. How realistic is this?

Much of this fuss was set off by the New York Times writer William Broad, who warned that all the stretching of the neck in various yoga poses like Cobra and Shoulderstand could lead to tearing of the linguini-like vertebral arteries that run along either side of the neck bones, which could then lead to bleeding into the brain. But as I (and others) have written (see Man Bites Down Dog), Broad's analysis was alarming, lacked data to back his extraordinary contentions, and in all likelihood was way off. Still, it may be worth discussing the risk of strokes and what thoughtful yoga practitioners and teachers can do to prevent them.

Vertebral artery tears and resulting strokes often happen when someone makes an unaccustomed neck movement. The example that is often cited is when an elderly woman drops her head back into the hairdresser’s sink. In such a case, the movement in question is an extension of the neck (the cervical vertebrae), not so different from what happens in backbends like Cobra pose and Upward-Facing Dog. But it’s also at least theoretically possible to tear the artery when you go in the other direction and flatten the neck vertebrae, as in Shoulderstand and especially Plow pose. Even twisting poses could cause problems if you crank the head too far. Outside of yoga, such strokes also have been reported to happen when people simply turn their heads to the side or suffer minor trauma. It is estimated that 1.5 people out of every 100,000 suffer vertebral artery-related strokes every year.

I have observed many yoga students who hyperextend their necks in poses like Cobra and others who flatten their neck in poses like Shoulderstand and Plow. In the case of backbends, many students have the habit of over-arching from the neck. They compress the backs of their necks, and often arch too much from the back of the skull (the occiput), at the atlas-occipital joint. (The atlas is another name for the first cervical vertebra.) This habit is common in those with tight thoracic spines. When the thoracic spine is stubborn, people sometimes overcompensate by overarching the more flexible cervical and/or the lumbar spines. In other words, when one link in the chain is tight, people tend to move more than they should from the links above and below it.

When instructing backbends, I encourage students to try to keep the back of the neck long. Rather than looking up in a pose like Cobra, I encourage those with the habit of neck hyperextension to keep their gaze forward, which tends to keep them from tipping the head back too much. It’s also useful to think of originating the movement in your neck from the middle of the thoracic spine and the lower cervical vertebrae (where the neck attaches to the back).

Poses like Shoulderstand and Plow pose tend to flatten the neck. This is especially problematic if the student tries to move the chin towards the chest (an unfortunate instruction that some yoga teachers use). Instead, I encourage students in these poses to lift the front of the chest toward the chin, and actually slightly move the chin away from the chest. If you try this, you may notice that it lessens the feeling of pressure at the back of the neck.

In the traditional hatha yoga Shoulderstand, known as Viparita Karani (not to be confused with the restorative pose that uses the same name), the legs are in a jack-knife position. In other words, the pelvis is behind the spine and the feet are forward of the spine. This pose can be done safely without any props, especially if you follow the instructions of moving the chin slightly away from the chest. This is the version of Shoulderstand I’ll do if I wind up somewhere with no props.

Rare is the yoga practitioner who is flexible enough to do the modern, more-directly vertical version of the Shoulderstand—in which the legs are stacked directly over the hips and shoulders—without blankets or other props to raise the shoulders off the ground. To keep suppleness in your neck, the number of blankets required varies. For example, I use four folded blankets under my shoulders. Try to place your shoulders near the edge of the folded blankets so you graze the skin over C7, the lowest cervical vertebra, while you work to lift C7 away from the ground. Your breath should be soft, slow and even throughout the pose, and if at any point you can’t breath smoothly, or otherwise feel uncomfortable come down.

Plow pose is even more challenging to the neck, and I recommend the same blanket set-up. If you notice any discomfort at the back of the neck, however, I recommend either skipping the pose entirely or placing your feet higher, for example, on the seat of a chair.

In twists, try not to lead with your head. In other words, the turn should come from the vertebrae all along your spine, with no twist whatsoever from the atlas-occipital joint. One instruction I give if students feel any tension in the neck is to turn the head ever so slightly (say 1 millimeter) in the opposite direction of the twist. What this accomplishes is to stop people from trying to twist the skull on C1, a motion those joints are not meant to do. Even more conservative, is to not let the chin turn any more than the chest, in other words the nose and chest point in the same direction.

Beyond lessening the theoretical risk of a vertebral artery stroke, all the above advice will also tend to help avert yoga’s contributing to such musculoskeletal problems of the neck as arthritis and overstretching of spinal ligaments. Indeed, averting these problems is actually my primary reason for recommending doing the poses as I suggest. Broad generated tremendous publicity for his book by trumpeting the risk of vertebral artery strokes, and made the absurd, entirely unscientific calculation that yoga causes 300 strokes and 15 deaths per year in the U.S. My guess is that it’s more like in a one in a zillion scenario. 

Ironically, skillfully practicing the very poses that Broad recommends avoiding might actually lower the risk of the vertebral artery strokes. When you gradually stretch the arteries and surrounding tissues as could be expected with a regular yoga practice, the vessels would likely become more pliable, and resistant to tearing with sudden movement or trauma.

And the bigger picture is that vertebral artery strokes are a tiny percentage of all strokes, estimated to strike 269 people per 100,000 every year. Yoga’s documented ability to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and stress hormones, reduce inflammation, thin the blood, etc., in all likelihood greatly lowers the incidence of all types of strokes—as well as heart attacks and a host of other conditions. Just be sure to be mindful of contraindications. So, for example, if you have poorly controlled high blood pressure, you probably want to avoid inversions like Headstand entirely. The risk of having a stroke as a result is probably small, but it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Subscribe to Yoga for Healthy Aging by Email ° Follow Yoga for Healthy Aging on Facebook ° Join this site with Google Friend Connect